Pro-life group puts pressure on senators

We pointed out earlier in this space the untenable position of pro-life state senators who say they support the unborn, yet would deny prenatal care to the unborn, just because the mother carrying them was illegally in this country.

Now, the powerful Nebraska Right to Life has taken things one step farther, saying it will take senators' vote on the bill, LB110, which it supports, into account when it decides whether to endorse candidates later this month.

Gov. Dave Heineman says he will veto the bill if it reaches his desk.

The bill is expected to be advanced out of committee next week to the full Legislature, but it's unclear when it will come up for debate and a vote.

Nebraska has been providing prenatal care for pregnant illegal immigrants for nearly 30 years, under the reasoning that their children will be U.S. citizens, and thus eligible for Medicaid, once they are born.

The state received notification from federal officials last year that the state was breaking federal rules by doing so.

Since fiscal and social conservatism often go hand-in-hand, it's hard to see where Nebraska Right to Life could find candidates to endorse who meet the narrow parameters of supporting LB110 yet opposing abortion. Support for the bill is probably stronger at the opposite end of the political spectrum, candidates NRTL is unlikely to endorse.

Both Heineman and many fiscally conservative senators think it's wrong for illegal immigrants to receive taxpayer-funded benefits, and they have a good point.

There's no easy way out for state senators still on the fence about prenatal care for illegal immigrants. Our elected officials will have to vote their consciences, regardless of the consequences. In a way, that's a refreshing development.